CNN Earns Prestigious Peabody Award for Political Coverage

CNN has won a 68th Annual Peabody Award for the network’s multi-platform coverage of the 2008 presidential primary campaigns and debates. According to the Peabody Board, “CNN gave viewers unparalleled coverage of a historic presidential election process.” CNN relied on its extensive resources and platforms to change the way the world looked at presidential political coverage and, as the Peabody recognizes, led the way with “distinguished achievement and meritorious public service.”

"A tremendous amount of innovation, commitment, quality journalism and hard work stand behind this honor,” said Jim Walton, president of CNN Worldwide. “CNN provided unrivaled coverage around the world across every platform possible, including television, radio, the Internet, and mobile.”

The award honors CNN’s application of state-of-the-art technology, such as the “Magic Wall” and the CNN Election Express, which served as a mobile newsroom. The network used these tools to present viewers with a closer look and better understanding of presidential politics. The judges also cite CNN’s “small army of reporters, producers and analysts,” who blanketed the country and television screens across the world. The Best Political Team on Television provided viewers with unmatched coverage and a front-row seat to a historic election.

Additionally, in close collaboration with the Best Political Team on Television, CNN.com provided unmatched coverage throughout the election season through in-depth reporting, live and on-demand video, and numerous interactive and customizable features. In particular, CNNPolitics.com and the CNN.com Election Center enabled online users to dig deeply into details about the candidates, their campaigns and their positions on the issues most important to voters and included detailed coverage of debates, fund-raising and state-by-state analysis. Further, the CNN Political Ticker – the No. 1 political news blog in 2008 according to Nielsen Online – brought users up-to-the-minute news from the campaign trail from CNN’s political producers, correspondents and analysts each and every day.

In addition to receiving the significant honor of a Peabody, CNN received ratings victories throughout the election season. CNN was the most-watched cable news network on virtually every primary night, including Super Tuesday when CNN also topped CBS and ABC in certain demographics. CNN also was the most-watched cable network among the 25-54, 18-34 and 18-49 demographics for all Presidential Debates. Eight of the nine debates CNN hosted ranked as the highest-rated presidential debates in the history of cable news. On Election Night, CNN was the most-watched network on television from 8-12:30a, beating every other network in total viewers and in key 25-54 demographic. Throughout its coverage of the primaries and debates, as well as conventions and on Election Night, the CNN Digital Network maintained its No. 1 ranking among all news and information sites.

The Peabodys, the oldest awards in broadcasting, are considered among the most prestigious and selective prizes in electronic media. The Peabody Awards recognize excellence and meritorious work by radio and television stations, networks, Webcasters, producing organizations and individuals. The 16-member Peabody Board is a distinguished panel of television critics, industry practitioners and experts in culture and the arts. Selection is made by the Board following review by special screening committees of University of Georgia faculty, students, and staff.

CNN Worldwide, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner Company, is the most trusted source for news and information. Its reach extends to nine cable and satellite television networks; one private place-based network; two radio networks; wireless devices around the world; CNN Digital Network, the No. 1 network of news Web sites in the United States; CNN Newsource, the world’s most extensively syndicated news service; and strategic international partnerships within both television and the digital media.